Mini-camp To Open Bears` 1986 Season

May 18, 1986|By Don Pierson.

When Bears` coach Mike Ditka was honored by the Hemophilia Foundation as its ``man of the year`` on ``Mike Ditka Day`` in Illinois May 7, tight end Emery Moorehead was the only player who showed up for the banquet.

``They drew straws and Emery lost,`` said Ditka.

This week, Bear players are required by contract to attend Ditka`s three- day mini-camp in Lake Forest starting Wednesday. It is the official opening of the 1986 football season, only 16 1/2 weeks after the Super Bowl and 10 1/2 weeks before their first preseason game Aug. 3 in London.

``I hope I can get a feel for what the players are feeling. Some have not been around here,`` said Ditka.

The celebration has kept many players away from their normal off-season conditioning routine. This upsets Ditka, who maintains that Super Bowls are won in March and April as well as in January.

Although the offensive linemen and most of the defensive linemen have passed Ditka`s off-season attitude check, questions linger over whether the Bears will be prepared to become the first team since the 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers to defend a Super Bowl title.

Among the biggest questions:

-- How much does William Perry weigh?

According to Bears` officials, Perry`s weight is ``not bad,`` as in not out of control.

According to teammates, it ranges anywhere from 327 to 350, which is more than the 1986 model Refrigerator was supposed to hold.

According to former Bears` defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, Perry`s career depends entirely on his weight entering the July training camp.

``If he`s overweight again like he was last year, it will show he doesn`t want to pay the price,`` Ryan said.

Ditka wants Perry at around 295 for training camp.

-- Will Richard Dent show up?

The most valuable player in the Super Bowl remains at odds over a new contract, although he will be entering the option year of his existing contract and is obligated to play for the Bears in 1986. Under National Football League rules, he cannot sit out the year and become a so-called free agent; he must play out the option.

The Bears have received no word about Dent`s intentions this week.

``I hope he comes. We`re trying to learn a new defense,`` Ditka said.

-- Will defensive players crack a smile?

New defensive coordinator Vince Tobin already has distributed his new playbook to most players. Ditka just wishes he would see as many of the defensive players working around Halas Hall as he saw with Ryan at Sportsman`s Park Thursday when a race was named after the new Philadelphia Eagles` coach. ``Some may not fit into our plans. We`ll go on without them,`` said Ditka.

-- How much will the players complain about the Super Bowl rings that will be presented on Friday?

Bears` officials say the rings are very nice and were designed by Walter Payton.

Some Bear players say they could be nicer and were not what Payton originally designed.

``If they don`t want them, let somebody else have them,`` said Ditka.

-- What will quarterback Jim McMahon do after the mini-camp?

A year ago, McMahon rarely missed a day of off-season training at Halas Hall. So far this year, Ditka has missed seeing McMahon and others on a regular basis.

Although their absence was expected because of Super Bowl fallout, it does not make Ditka`s heart grow fonder.

``What you expect and what you condone are two different things,`` said Ditka. ``I`m sure the San Francisco 49ers thought the same thing after they won (in 1984).``

Ditka admits it is not too late to get serious about off-season training, but if players go back to their leisurely ways following mini-camp, time could get away from them. McMahon`s example is important, Ditka said.

``If they aren`t around here more after mini-camp, you`d have to wonder,`` said Ditka.

-- How loudly will the Bears scream about the London trip?

A fifth preseason game is not a joyous occasion, especially for a team coming off three postseason games. It cuts into vacation time. When the game is scheduled for Europe, where Americans are being cautioned to keep a low profile because of terrorist activity, there is additional cause for concern. Center Jay Hilgenberg wants the subject to be discussed further through the NFL Players Association. Safety Dave Duerson has suggested that players get increased life insurance.

-- Who will be the new Dennis McKinnon?

The Bears have a problem at wide receiver while McKinnon is rehabilitating from knee surgery.

``I`ll be eager to look at David Williams, Keith Ortego and James Maness,`` said Ditka.

Williams is this year`s third-round draft choice. Ortego and Maness are second-year receivers.

-- Will Payton allow Neal Anderson to practice?

Nobody expects the No. 1 draft choice to get much playing time behind Payton. Anderson does expect to practice once in a while, however.